Disregarding Science, Clinical Utility, and the DSM’s Definition of Mental Disorder: The Case of Exhibitionism, Voyeurism, and Frotteurism

In Långström’s (
2010) methodology section, he says that he “carefully read prior versions of the DSM diagnostic criteria for these paraphilias from the DSM-III to DSM-IV-TR” (p. 317), but his review makes some serious errors. Långström writes:

In the DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987), the core criterion (A) for Exhibitionism (Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexual urges and sexually arousing fantasies involving intense sexual arousal from exposing one’s genitals to an unsuspecting stranger) remained the same as in DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association, 1980). However, a qualifying diagnostic B criterion was added, as were [sic] true for all paraphilia diagnoses. This criterion was added to emphasize that psychiatric disorders or diagnoses had to include acting out against others or substantial distress. (p. 317)